Dewatering system

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for dewatering drilling fluid including a feeder, an aging tank, a polyductor configured between the feeder and the aging tank and a flocculant solution pump fluidly connected to the aging tank. Further, the system includes a portable skid to house the feeder, the aging tank, the polyductor, and the flocculent solution pump. In certain embodiments, the polyductor is configured to mix a liquid with a dry flocculant from the feeder, and disperse a resultant flocculent solution in the aging tank, the aging tank is configured to receive the flocculant solution, and the flocculant solution pump is configured to remove the flocculant solution from the aging tank.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to dewatering systems used inthe management of drilling fluid waste and drilling fluid volumereduction. More particularly, the present disclosure relates todewatering systems incorporating dry and/or liquid flocculant sources.More particularly still, the present disclosure relates to automated andself-contained dry and/or liquid dewatering systems.

BACKGROUND

Generally, waste management dewatering systems separate solids and fineparticles from the liquid phase of drilling fluid, thereby leaving aclarified aqueous solution. In a drilling operation, dewatering allowsthe cleaning of waste fluids, such as, drilling fluids mixed with waterfrom the rotary table, mud tanks, mud pumps, generators and from anyother discharge point around a drilling rig. Typically, dewatering wastemanagement systems clean drilling fluid through coagulation,flocculation, and/or mechanical separation.

Coagulation occurs when the electrostatic charge on a solid is reduced,destabilizing the solid and allowing it to be attracted to other solidsby van der Waals forces. Flocculation is the binding of individual solidparticles into aggregates of multiple particles. Flocculation isphysical, rather than electrical, and occurs when one segment of aflocculating polymer chain absorbs simultaneously onto more than oneparticle. Mechanical separation includes mechanical devices (e.g.,hydrocyclones and centrifuges) that remove solid particles from asolution.

Traditionally, methods for removing solids from solutions in thedewatering of drilling fluid included the replication of the natural mudflocculation mechanisms using either calcium or chlorine based ioncontamination. Lime and various chloride sources (e.g., AlCl₃) were usedfor flocculation. The solid aggregates could then be separated out bygravity filtration and/or a mechanical device, as described above.However, with the introduction of non-dispersed, inhibitive water-baseddrilling fluids (e.g., partially-hydrolyzed polyacrylamide and KCl), theclay particles within a mud system were already conditioned to resistion contamination (i.e., resistant to flocculation and/or aggregation).Thus, the dewatering of water-base drilling fluids require multi-charge,high molecular weight polymers for flocculation.

Typically, polymers used for flocculation are manufactured in dry formand mixed by dewatering system operators into a solution prior totreating a mud system. Also, because the dry polymer is added to aliquid, an aging process is required to activate the dry polymers.Additionally, these polymers tend to be hygroscopic, and as such, have alimited shelf life. Thus, when housed in outdoor storage facilities,such as typically occurs in current commercial drilling operations, thehygroscopic polymers take on water, thereby decreasing their effectivelife. Also, the polymers in current commercial systems are typicallyexposed to wide temperature variations, further resulting in decreasedeffective life. Due to the need of polymer solution aging, batch mixing,and the limited shelf life in current commercial systems, management ofdry flocculant dewatering systems is costly and resource dependent.

In response to the increased use of water-based drilling fluids, manycompanies now manufacture invert emulsion liquid flocculants andcoagulants that provide increased activity and shelf life. However, dueto their nanoemulsion formulation, these products require high energyfor emulsion breaking and activation. Also, the liquid flocculants andcoagulants still experience decreased shelf life when exposed tomoisture and wide temperature variation. Thus, the liquid flocculantsand coagulants do not always work effectively in current commercialsystems.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a self-contained, climatized, andautomated dewatering system.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a systemincluding a feeder, an aging tank, a polyductor configured between thefeeder and the aging tank and a flocculent solution pump fluidlyconnected to the aging tank. Further, the system includes a portableskid to house the feeder, the aging tank, the polyductor, and theflocculant solution pump. In certain embodiments, the polyductor isconfigured to mix a liquid with a dry flocculant from the feeder, anddisperse a resultant flocculent solution in the aging tank, the agingtank is configured to receive the flocculant solution, and theflocculant solution pump is configured to remove the flocculent solutionfrom the aging tank.

In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a systemincluding a liquid flocculant supply tank, an aging tank, a dosing pump,a water booster pump, and a flocculant solution pump fluidly connectedto the aging tank. Further, the system includes a portable skid to housethe liquid flocculant supply tank, the aging tank, the dosing pump, thewater booster pump, and the flocculent solution pump. In certainembodiments, the dosing pump is configured to disperse a liquidflocculant from the liquid flocculant supply tank into a line connectingthe dosing pump, the aging tank, and the water booster pump, the waterbooster pump provides water to the line for mixing with the liquidflocculant to create a liquid flocculant solution, the liquid flocculantsolution is aged in the aging tank, and the flocculant solution pump isconfigured to remove the liquid flocculent solution from the aging tank.

In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method todewater drilling fluid including using a system having a feeder, anaging tank, a polyductor configured between the feeder and the agingtank and a flocculant solution pump fluidly connected to the aging tank.Further, the system includes a portable skid to house the feeder, theaging tank, the polyductor, and the flocculent solution pump. In certainembodiments, the polyductor is configured to mix a liquid with a dryflocculant from the feeder, and disperse a resultant flocculant solutionin the aging tank, the aging tank is configured to receive theflocculent solution, and the flocculent solution pump is configured toremove the flocculant solution from the aging tank.

In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method todewater drilling fluid including using a system having a liquidflocculent supply tank, an aging tank, a dosing pump, a water boosterpump, and a flocculant solution pump fluidly connected to the agingtank. Further, the system includes a portable skid to house the liquidflocculant supply tank, the aging tank, the dosing pump, the waterbooster pump, and the flocculant solution pump. In certain embodiments,the dosing pump is configured to disperse a liquid flocculent from theliquid flocculent supply tank into a line connecting the dosing pump,the aging tank, and the water booster pump, the water booster pumpprovides water to the line for mixing with the liquid flocculant tocreate a liquid flocculant solution, the liquid flocculent solution isaged in the aging tank, and the flocculant solution pump is configuredto remove the liquid flocculant solution from the aging tank.

Other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from the followingdescription and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a dry flocculent dewatering systemin accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram of a dry flocculant dewatering systemin accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a dry flocculent and coagulantdewatering system in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a liquid flocculant dewateringsystem in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a dry flocculant and liquidflocculent dewatering system in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a top view layout of a skid based dewatering module inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methodsfor dewatering water-based drilling fluids thereby separating solids andother fine particles from a liquid phase, leaving a clarified aqueousproduct. More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein relate to aself-contained, modular-based dewatering system that may moreefficiently dewater water-based drilling fluids at a drill site.

Typically, as used drilling fluids return from down hole, drill cuttingsand other fine particulate matter may be suspended therein. Initially,the used drilling fluid may undergo any number of separation techniques(e.g., centrifugation, screening, mud cleaners, and shaking) to removelarge drill cuttings from the fluid. While the aforementioned methodsmay remove large drill cuttings, other solids and fine particulatematter may remain suspended in the drilling fluid. To further removeparticulate matter, as described above, coagulation and/or flocculationmay be used.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a modular dewatering system 100 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown. Inthis embodiment, a feeder 101 is connected to a polyductor 102. Feeder101 may include any device (e.g., a hopper with a screen and a rotatingdisc) capable of holding and dispensing a dry flocculation powder.Polyductor 102 may include a high efficiency eductor designedspecifically for dry polymers. Generally, polyductor 102 may generate ahigh vacuum airflow to transport dry polymer flocculant from therotating disc of feeder 101. In such a system, polyductor 102 may beconnected to feeder 101 and may receive dry flocculant polymertherefrom. Polyductor 102 may also be fluidly connected to a watersupply line.

In one embodiment, polyductor 102 may dilute the dry flocculent usingwater accelerated in a high efficiency nozzle. The high velocity waterflow may generate a vacuum by entraining air as it exits the nozzle. Thehigh speed collision in polyductor 102 between the polymer granules andthe water stream may allow dispersion of the polymer granules. Thus, useof polyductor 102, as described above, may result in faster hydrationand minimize the require aging time for polymer activation.

In one embodiment, as dry flocculant polymer enters polyductor 102, awater regulation valve (not shown) may control the flow of water intopolyductor 102. In polyductor 102, the water mixes with the dryflocculent polymer, and the resultant solution may be dispersed into anaging tank 103. In aging tank 103, the flocculant polymer may age inaccordance with the time requirements of the flocculant being used.After proper aging, the flocculent may be injected into a linecontaining used drilling fluid via a flocculent solution pump 104 (e.g.,a polymer solution pump, a positive displacement pump, or a diaphragmpump).

Still referring to FIG. 1, the injection of the flocculant into the useddrilling fluid is controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC)105. PLC 105 may regulate the dispersion of the flocculant into useddrilling fluids by controlling flocculent solution pump 104, a positivedisplacement pump (not shown), and/or a diaphragm pump (not shown). Inalternate embodiments, PLC 105 may also control other processes in thesystem, such as, for example, the dispersion of flocculant frompolyductor 102 into aging tank 103.

In other embodiments, specialized components may be used in system 100to further increase dewatering efficiency. Referring briefly to FIG. 2,a modular dewatering system 200 including a three-stage aging tank 201is shown. In this embodiment, aging tank 201 is divided into threesections, including, a mixing section 202, an aging section 203, and apumping section 204. As flocculant solution enters mixing section 202from a polyductor 205, an agitation device (not shown) may further mixthe flocculant solution. After a proper mixing time, as determined bythe properties of the flocculent used, the contents of mixing section202 may be transferred to aging section 203. Those having ordinary skillin the art will appreciate that suitable agitation times are known inthe art. In aging section 203, a second agitation device (not shown) mayfurther mix and/or stir the solution until the solution has reached itsdesired properties. The solution may then be transferred into a pumpingsection 204, which may serve as a holding portion until the solution ispumped into a line containing used drilling fluid.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a modular dewatering system 300 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In thisembodiment a dry flocculant feeder 301, a flocculant polyductor 302, aflocculant aging tank 303, and a solution pump 304 are connected, asdescribed above. Additionally, a coagulant supply tank 306 may beconnected to a water booster pump 307. Water booster pump 307 may allowthe mixing of a liquid coagulant into a pressurized stream of water,thereby mixing a coagulant solution without the need of a separateaging/holding tank. In certain embodiments, water booster pump 307 mayalso be connected to a coagulant solution pump (not shown) for injectioninto a line containing used drilling fluid. As illustrated, solutionpump 304 is configured to receive flocculant solution and coagulantsolution and to inject the solutions into a line containing useddrilling fluid.

In an alternate embodiment, as dry coagulant enters a polyductor, awater regulation valve may control the a flow of water into thepolyductor. In the polyductor, the water mixes with the dry coagulantpolymer, and the resultant solution may be dispersed into an aging tank.In the aging tank, the coagulant may age in accordance with the timerequirements of the coagulant being used. After proper aging, thecoagulant may be injected into a line containing used drilling fluid viaa water booster pump. One of ordinary skill in the art will realize thatafter mixing, certain coagulants may not require aging. In such asystem, the aging tank may serve as a holding tank for mixed coagulantsolution, or the coagulant solution may be directly injected from a linefluidly connecting the polyductor and a water booster pump, as describedabove.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the injection of the flocculant and coagulantinto the used drilling fluid is controlled by a programmable logiccontroller (PLC) 305. Similarly as to system 100, PLC 305 may controlthe dispersion rate of flocculant solution into a line containing useddrilling fluid. Additionally, PLC 305 may control the dispersion rate ofcoagulant solution into the line containing used drilling fluid. Incertain embodiments, PLC 305 may control the dispersion rate of theflocculant and coagulants through appropriate pumping means, asdescribed above. Additionally, PLC 305 may control other aspects ofsystem 300, including but not limited to, control of polyductors 302 and307 and aging times of aging tanks 303 and 308.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a liquid flocculant dewatering system 400 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown. Inthis embodiment, a liquid flocculent supply tank 401 is connected to adosing pump 402. Supply tank 401 may include any device capable ofholding a liquid flocculant. Dosing pump 402 is connected to supply tank401 and may receive liquid flocculent solution therefrom. Dosing pump402 injects liquid flocculant into an aging tank 403 for proper aging inaccordance with the recommended aging for the flocculant. In certainembodiments, aging tank 403 may be substantially smaller than agingtanks of dry polymer systems because liquid flocculants require shorteraging times. After proper aging, liquid flocculant is injected into useddrilling fluid via a flocculent solution pump 404.

In alternate embodiments, system 400 may further include a water boosterpump (not shown). In such an embodiment, liquid flocculent is injectedfrom supply tank 401 into a line between dosing pump 402 and aging tank403. Water provided by a water booster pump (not shown) mixes with theliquid flocculant, and may then enter aging tank 403 for aging. Theabove process is described relative to liquid flocculent, but one ofordinary skill in the art will realize that dosing any substance (e.g.,flocculant or coagulant) into a transfer line for mixing with water froma water booster pump is within the scope of the present disclosure.Furthermore, in certain embodiments, a water booster pump may providewater to any number of flocculant and/or coagulant transfer lines fordilution during transference.

Still referring to FIG. 4, the injection of the flocculant into the useddrilling fluid is controlled by a PLC 405. In this embodiment, PLC 405may regulate the dispersion of the flocculant into used drilling fluidsby controlling water booster pump 405. In alternate embodiments, PLC 405may also control other processes in the system, such as, for example,the dispersion of flocculant from dosing pump 402 into aging tank 403.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a combination dry flocculent and liquidflocculant dewatering system 500 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, is shown. In this embodiment, a dry flocculentfeeder 501, a flocculant polyductor 502, and a flocculant aging tank503, are connected to a flocculant solution pump 504, as describedabove. Additionally, a liquid supply tank 505, a liquid flocculantdosing pump 506, and a liquid flocculant aging tank 507 are connected toflocculant solution pump 504, as described above. One of ordinary skillin the art will realize that alternate systems may include any number ofadditional solution pumps such that flocculant may be efficientlyinjected. One embodiment may include a water booster pump (not shown) todilute the liquid flocculent prior to aging in aging tank 507. Theoperation of system 500, including the operation of at least flocculantsolution pump 504 may be controlled through a PLC 508, as describedabove. Moreover, in certain systems, a separation device (e.g., acentrifuge) may be fluidly connected to flocculant solution pump 504 toremove flocs from the used drilling fluid. One of ordinary skill in theart will realize that in certain embodiments, the separation device maybe included on a portable skid.

In this embodiment, flocculant solution pump 504 is configured toreceive feed lines from both flocculent aging tank 503 and liquidflocculent aging tank 507. Flocculant solution pump 504 may then injectflocculant into a line containing used drilling fluid. Typically, bothdry flocculant and liquid flocculant will not be used in a single run.However, by giving a drilling operator the choice or using either typeof flocculent in one system, the operator may choose the most effectiveflocculating technique. Additionally, because alternate systems mayinclude multiple pumps, the present system may provide the drillingoperator the ability to switch seamlessly between types of flocculants.Thus, in a drilling operation wherein the drilling operator runs out of,for example, a dry powder flocculant, the drilling operator may easilyswitch to a liquid flocculent. Such a seamless transition betweenflocculants may prevent downtime that could otherwise increase theoverall cost of drilling.

While not independently described, one of ordinary skill in the art willrealize that alternate systems wherein any number of dry and/or liquidflocculating modules are used is within the scope of the presentdisclosure. Furthermore, any system within the scope of the presentdisclosure may be expanded to include coagulant modules, additional drypowder flocculent modules, and/or additional liquid flocculent modules.Thus, embodiments in accordance with the modular dewatering system ofthe present disclosure may allow a drilling operator any number ofchoices between flocculant and/or coagulant combinations when dewateringdrilling fluid.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a top view layout of a skid based dewateringsystem 600 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure,is shown. In this embodiment, dewatering system 600 includes a dryflocculent supply tank 601, a dry flocculent feed system (e.g., thefeeder and polyductor of system 100) 602, and a dry flocculant agingtank 603. Additionally, system 600 includes a coagulant supply tank 604,a coagulant feed system 605, and a water booster pump 606. In thisembodiment, there is not a coagulant aging tank because the liquidcoagulant may be directly injected and mixed with water from waterbooster pump 606. As flocculant and coagulant solution are ready forinjection into a line containing used drilling fluid, flocculent andcoagulant solution may be injected through flocculant solution pump 607and coagulant solution pump 608 respectively.

In this embodiment, system 600 includes a portable skid 609 onto whichall of the above listed components are connected. Thus, system 600 isself contained on a single modular skid incorporating all of thenecessary components of a dewatering system. Such a portable skid may betransported between drilling operations thereby reducing the capitalexpenditure costs of a drilling operation. Additionally, system 600provides that supply tanks 601 and 604 are on skid 609. In certainembodiments, skid 609 may be enclosed in a housing (not shown). In sucha system, the dry/liquid flocculants and coagulants may be stored in aclimatized environment, regulated by an environmental regulation unit(e.g., an air conditioner, a moisture control device, or housingstructure). Because the temperature of the flocculants and coagulantsmay be regulated, their effective lives may be extended. Additionally,because the flocculants and coagulants may be stored inside, they willhave less exposure to the sun and/or moisture (i.e., precipitation) thatmay further shorten their effective lives.

EXAMPLES

The following examples were used to test the presently discloseddewatering systems and methods.

The first field trial was on a directional well programmed to be drilledto 12,500 feet with casing strings at 400 feet and 2,500 feet. Thedewatering system included a stand alone liquid flocculent and coagulantsystem fluidly connected to a first centrifuge for barite recovery and asecond centrifuge for dewatering. The liquid polymer skid was aself-contained, climatized unit, incorporating flocculent and coagulantmixing/injection systems. The system was also equipped with a waterbooster pump that maintained 30 psi through the water line for propermixing/injection of the chemicals. Additionally, the system included a20 gallon flocculant aging tank. The coagulant was mixed and injectedin-line. For the upper interval of the well, only the flocculent(CYTEC's SUPERFLOC® SD 2081) was required. For the second interval withincreased mud weight and salinity, addition of coagulant (CYTEC'sSUPERFLOC® 607) was required. The table below provides field resultsillustrating the adjustability of mud flowrate, polymer dilation, andpolymer concentration manipulation in a liquid polymer unit inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

TABLE 1 Dewatering Field Results - Liquid Polymer Unit Centrifuge MudPolymer Speed Flowrate Polymer Concentration Time [rpm] [gpm] PolymerDilution [%] [ppm]  8:20 1900 50 0 0 0  8:30 1900 50 0 0 0  9:10 1900 50SD 2081 .2 100 10:10 1900 50 SD 2081 .2 100 10:15 1900 50 SD 2081 .2 15010:34 1900 50 SD 2081 .2 150 10:40 1900 50 SD 2081 .2 200 10:55 1900 50SD 2081 .2 200 10:56 1900 50 SD 2081 .2 250 11:20 1900 50 SD 2081 .2 25011:22 1900 50 SD 2081 .2 300 11:40 1900 50 SD 2081 .2 300 11:45 1900 40SD 2081 .2 150 12:00 1900 40 SD 2081 .2 150 12:05 1900 40 SD 2081 .2 20012:20 1900 40 SD 2081 .2 200 12:25 1900 40 SD 2081 .2 100 12:40 1900 40SD 2081 .2 100 12:45 1900 50 SD 2081 .2 100 13:00 1900 50 SD 2081 .2 10013:05 1900 60 SD 2081 .2 250 13:15 1900 60 SD 2081 .2 250 13:30 1900 50SD 2081 .33 100

The above table illustrates the adjustability of flocculant polymerconcentration in parts per million (ppm) in a liquid flocculentdewatering system. Additionally, table illustrates the centrifuge speedin rotations per minute (rpm) and the mud flowrate in gallons per minute(gpm). In the first field trial, polymer concentration was incrementallyadjusted from 0 ppm to 300 ppm while maintaining a constant mud flowrateof 50 gpm. Subsequently, the mud flowrate was varied between 40 grm and60 gpm The feed mud had a specific gravity of 1.2 and an out-ofmeasurable range nephelometric turbidity (NTU) of greater than 1,200.Treating the mud with 150 ppm flocculent generated a centrifuge effluentwith 1.08 specific gravity and 762 NTU. As higher dosages of flocculantwere used, better turbidity measurements were obtained.

The adjustability of the system allowed the operator to adjust the mudflowrate such that as polymer concentration was decreased the flow ratecould also be decreased. In such a system, as the mud flowrate isdecreased the flocculant laden mud may remain in the centrifuge longer.Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that by adjustingthe mud flowrate, the polymer concentration, and/or the polymerdilution, a system operator may adjust a dewatering system to processthe mud of a given operation with the greatest efficiency.

The second field trial was on a well programmed to be drilled to 9,500feet with casing strings set at 400 feet and 1,700 feet. The dewateringsystem included a stand alone dry flocculant system fluidly connected toa single centrifuge for dewatering. The dry polymer skid was aself-contained, climatized unit, incorporating a feeder, a polyductorand a 3-compartment aging tank. The polymer solution mixing wascontrolled by a PLC system. The dry flocculant used in the system wasCIBA's MAGNAFLOC® 351. The table below provides field resultsillustrating the adjustability of mud flowrate and polymer concentrationmanipulation in a dry polymer unit in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

TABLE 2 Dewatering Field Results - Dry Polymer Unit Polymer Mud FlowrateConcentration Time [gpm] Polymer [ppm]  9:00 50 0 0 11:55 50 0 0 12:0050 Magnafloc 351 100 12:25 50 Magnafloc 351 100 12:40 50 Magnafloc 35170 12:50 50 Magnafloc 351 70 12:55 50 Magnafloc 351 150 13:10 50Magnafloc 351 150 13:15 50 Magnafloc 351 200 13:40 50 Magnafloc 351 20013:45 50 Magnafloc 351 100

In the second field trial, the polymer concentration was adjustedbetween 0 and 200 ppm while the mud flowrate was kept constant at 50gpm. The feed mud had a specific gravity of 1.26 and an out ofmeasurable range NTU. The effluent of the centrifuge after treatment hada specific gravity of 1.06 with 326 NTU. Better turbidity measurementswere obtained using higher polymer dosages (as low as 123 NTU at 250 ppmpolymer).

Similarly as occurred in the first trial, the adjustability of thesystem allowed the dewatering system operator to adjust the polymerconcentration to provide the most efficient dewatering. As such, one ofordinary skill in the art will realize that the automated system of thepresent disclosure may allow an operator to adjust variables of thesystem to dewater mud to specified conditions.

Advantageously, embodiments of the aforementioned systems and methodsmay increase the operating efficiency of water-based drilling fluiddewatering. Because the systems described above may include separatemodules to handle dry/liquid flocculants and coagulants, rig downtimethat may be experienced during flocculant or coagulant type adjustmentmay be minimized. Further, because the system may be fully automatedthrough the use of a programmable logic controller, the polymer mixingmay be more precise, thus increasing flocculant and coagulantconsistency while potentially reducing polymer consumption. Moreover,because a drilling operator no longer has to mix the individualpolymers, the operator has more time to attended to other portions ofthe drilling operation. Furthermore, because the product flocculent andcoagulant solutions may be more strictly conditioned, there may occurincreased solid separation at higher centrifuge feed rates. Thereduction of polymer usage, more efficient use of human labor, andincreased solid separation may all contribute to considerable costreduction in a drilling operation.

Also, because systems in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be mounted on a portable skid, the cost savings andefficiency of the system may be further increased. Specifically, becausepolymers may be stored in close proximity to the dewatering operation inclimatized housing, damage to the effective lives of the polymers may beprevented. By minimizing damage to the polymers by sun and prematurewater exposure, less polymer may be wasted, thereby further decreasingthe costs of dewatering. Finally, the mounting of the system on aportable skid allows the dewatering system to be both self-contained andportable. Such a system may be used as a component in a solidsmanagement system, and through standardization of components, furtherdecrease the cost of the drilling operation.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of the presentdisclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised whichdo not depart from the scope of the disclosure described herein.Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure should be limited only by theclaims amended hereto.

1. A dewatering system comprising: a feeder comprising a hopper with ascreen and a rotating disc; an aging tank; a polyductor having a nozzleconfigured between the feeder and the aging tank; a flocculant solutionpump fluidly connected to the aging tank; and a portable skid to housethe feeder, the aging tank, the polyductor, and the flocculant solutionpump; wherein the feeder is configured to dispense a dry flocculant fromthe hopper, through the screen, and onto the rotating disc; wherein thepolyductor is configured to mix a liquid with the dry flocculant fromthe rotating disc with the nozzle, and disperse a resultant flocculantsolution in the aging tank; wherein the aging tank is configured toreceive the flocculant solution; and wherein the flocculant solutionpump is configured to remove the flocculant solution from the aging tankto a separation device for dewatering waste fluids.
 2. The dewateringsystem of claim 1, further comprising: a coagulant supply tank; a waterbooster pump; and a coagulant solution pump fluidly connected to thecoagulant supply tank and the water booster pump.
 3. The dewateringsystem of claim 1, further comprising a flocculant supply tankconfigured to attach to the feeder.
 4. The dewatering system of claim 1,further comprising a programmable logic controller to regulate at leastthe removal of the flocculant solution from the aging tank.
 5. Thedewatering system of claim 1, wherein the flocculant solution pump isfluidly connected to a separation device.
 6. The dewatering system ofclaim 5, wherein the separation device is a centrifuge.
 7. Thedewatering system of claim 1, further comprising an environmentalregulation unit.
 8. The dewatering system of claim 7, wherein theenvironmental regulation unit is an air conditioner.
 9. The dewateringsystem of claim 1, further comprising: a liquid flocculant supply tankto store liquid flocculant; a dosing pump to regulate the dispersal ofliquid flocculant into the aging tank; and a liquid aging tank to agethe liquid flocculant; wherein the liquid flocculant is removed from theliquid aging tank by the flocculant solution pump.
 10. The dewateringsystem of claim 9, wherein the liquid flocculant is removed from theliquid aging tank by a second flocculant solution pump.
 11. Thedewatering system of claim 1, wherein the portable skid furthercomprises a housing to enclose the dewatering system.